System and method for creating, managing, and displaying an interactive display for 3D digital collectibles

ABSTRACT

A system and method for creating, managing, and displaying an interactive display for 3D digital collectibles comprising a virtual, three dimensional, n-sided structure including a digital media file or set of digital media files representing an event rendered on a representation of a first surface thereof, and data relating to the event rendered on at least a second surface thereof, where the digital media file may be a video clip of the event that can be played automatically via a media player associated with the display. The interactive display may provide a graphical user interface that displays a set of user tools to interact with the 3D digital collectibles and a user interface control module that receives user input via the user tools and generates instructions to control the display of one or more 3D digital collectible display elements.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates to a system and method for creating,managing, and displaying an interactive display for 3D digitalcollectibles of sports plays or other events and a graphical userinterface that displays a set of user tools to enable a user to interactwith the 3D digital collectibles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Physical collectibles, such as baseball cards, are known. Recently,digital collectibles have also been developed. However, the technologyrelated to such digital collectibles is limited. For example, knowndigital collectibles are static, two-dimensional, images. These andother technical limitations and drawbacks exist with known collectibles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a system andmethod for creating, managing, and displaying an interactive displayelement for 3D digital collectibles and a set of user tools to interactwith the 3D digital collectibles. The 3D digital collectible may includea 3D virtual display element comprising a virtual, three dimensional,n-sided structure including a digital media file or set of digital mediafiles representing an event rendered on a representation of a firstsurface thereof, and data relating to the event rendered on a secondsurface thereof, where the digital media file may be a video clip of theevent that can be played automatically via a media player associatedwith the display.

The interactive display may provide a graphical user interface with aset of user tools to interact with the 3D digital collectibles. Forexample, in response to user input selections via the graphical userinterface different surfaces of the n-sided display may be selectivelydisplayed based on the user input. For example, the user may use thedisplayed tools to view and rotate the cube to see different tools. TheGUI may present options for a user to rotate the cube in one or moredirections.

According to an aspect of the invention, the interactive displayincludes a graphical user interface for displaying a 3D virtual displayrepresenting a digital collectable comprising content including adigital media file and data relating to the digital media file. Thesystem may generate a graphical user interface display comprising afirst display portion and a second display portion, the first displayportion configured to display content associated with a selected surfaceof a 3D virtual display element comprising n-surfaces, the seconddisplay portion displaying a set of n icons, each representing adepiction of one of the surfaces and in response to a selection of oneof the icons, cause the first display portion to display contentassociated with the selected surface.

According to other aspects of the invention, the graphical userinterface may include a display portion that includes a set of usertools to enable a user to interact with the 3D digital collectibles tocreate, manage and share user selected collections of 3D digitalcollectibles.

According to other aspects of various embodiments, a user may manage thedisplay of multiple digital collectables within their account. Forexample, in some embodiments, the digital collectables may be storedonline (e.g., under control of the system), a user may create one ormore collections of digital collectables and share a link or otheridentifier associated with the collection and other users may use thelink or other identifier to view the collection(s).

To facilitate the management of collections, the system may provide aset of graphical user interfaces. A first graphical user interface mayinclude collection creation display that enables a user to select a setof the user's collectables to include in the collection, name thecollection and upon completion click an icon to share the collection.The first graphical user interface may include a first display portion,that when selected by a user causes a second graphical user interface orsecond display portion (collectively “second display element”) thatincludes a template to facilitate the ability for a user to select thedesired digital collectables and arrange them in a desired order. Thesecond display element may include a graphical depiction or layout of apredetermined number of slots for receiving digital collectables so thata user can drag and drop or otherwise select collectables and specify anorder. Once the user selects the desired digital collectables andarranges them in a desired order, the user may select save or otherwiseindicate that they are finished making selections. The user may then bereturned to the first graphical user interface and click an icon toshare the collection via one or more predetermined channels and/orotherwise share a link or other identifier to enable others to view thecollection(s). The user may create, separately name and share multiplecollections with different collectables and/or combinations thereof.

The system may include a collections management module that comprisescomputer code for generating the displays described herein, cause theuser's selection of collectables and the specified order to be stored inmemory in association with a collection name and/or store otherinformation relation to a collection. The collections management modulemay also include computer code that s configured to display a collectionto a second user when the second user selects the link or otheridentifier associated with a first user's collection.

In some embodiments, when a second user selects the link or otheridentifier associated with a first user's collection, the collectionsmanagement module generates a collectables display interface. Thecollections management module may display the collection, including eachof the digital collectables included in the collection. According to oneoption, the second user may select individual ones of the digitalcollectables for display. According to another option, the collectionsmanagement module may instruct a media player to automatically play, inthe collectables display interface, the media files of the digitalcollectables included in the collection. The collections managementmodule may be configured via software to cause the digital media filesof the digital collectables included in the collection to beautomatically displayed sequentially or may stitch the files together tocreate a single media file including each of the digital media files ofthe digital collectables included in the collection.

According to other aspects of some embodiments, the collectionsmanagement module may cause the collectables display interface tosequentially display each of the digital collectibles and then the mediafiles of the digital collectables included in the collection.

The above stated aspects, as well as other aspects, features andadvantages of the invention will become clear to those skilled in theart upon review of the following description. It should be understoodthat the description and specific examples, while describing severalexemplary embodiments, are intended for purposes of illustration onlyand are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects of the invention will be more apparent bydescribing in detail exemplary embodiments of the invention withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1a-1e show a 3D digital collectible according to some embodimentsof the invention;

FIGS. 2a-2f show aspects of user controllable viewing tools according tosome embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 3a and 3b show a digital media playing applications according tosome embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 shows aspects of a 3D digital collectible management systemaccording to some embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 5a-5c show aspects of viewing tools for a collection of 3D digitalcollectibles according to some embodiments of the invention; and

FIGS. 6a-6b shows aspects of tools for building a collection of 3Ddigital collectibles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described below byreference to the attached Figures. The described exemplary embodimentsare intended to assist the understanding of the invention and are notintended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Like referencenumerals refer to like elements throughout. The examples are provided inconnection with a sports event by way of example only. The platform maybe used with other events including the other types of events referencedherein and other types of events.

The 3D Digital Collectible

Aspects of various types of events may include important portions whichcan be captured (as digital media files or other forms of capture). Suchdigital media files may include videos, images, sounds, and or otherforms of capture that record a particular event during an experience.For example, in relation to sports, an event can be a particular play,such as a dunk in a basketball game, a goal in a soccer match, or acatch in baseball. In such examples, the event may be captured as avideo, audio and/or other form of highlight, including from one or moreperspective views, as a digital media file or files. The event can be ofdifferent durations appropriate to memorialize the event. An event maybe part of a live-action experience, such as a sporting match or play,or a scripted or pre-recorded experience, such as a movie.

In an exemplary embodiment, a 3D digital collectible may be defined,generated, and rendered. The 3D digital collectible may include adigital media file (e.g., a video highlight clip) or a set of digitalmedia files (e.g., different perspectives of the same event or a seriesof files before, during and/or after the event) representing an event,along with data relating to the event. An event may include all or anyidentifiable portion of an experience.

The 3D digital collectible may be a virtual, three dimensional n-sidedstructure (where n is preferably greater than 3), where the n-surfacesmay be configured to form an n-sided 3D shape, such as a cube, pyramid,octagon, or other 3D shape. One or more of the surfaces may display oneor more digital media files, or portions of such digital media files,and/or one or more portions of data (or other content) in a definedrelationship stored in memory such that a particular side may display adigital media file or files, or portions thereof, a portion or portionsof data, other content or combinations thereof.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1a , a 3D digital collectible100 is cube-shaped with six surfaces. In the perspective view of FIG. 1a, first surface 110 and second surface 120 are visible. First surface110 has a digital media file 115, in this case a video clip. Secondsurface 120 has data 125, in this case the logo of the team of which aplayer in digital media file 115 is a member. FIGS. 1b-1e show furtherviews of 3D digital collectible 100. In FIG. 1b , another surface of 3Ddigital collectible 100 is shown. Thus surface includes data, in thiscase a team logo and score related to the event to which the 3Dcollectible is related. In FIG. 1c , another surface of 3D digitalcollectible 100 is shown. This surface also includes data, in this casea team logo and a date and description of the event to which the 3Ddigital collectible is related. In FIG. 1d , another perspective view of3D digital collectible 100 is shown. In this view, a surface 165 withdifferent representation of a team logo is provided, such that itappears within collectible 100, along with a surface 175 with a numberof the player shown in the video clip on surface 110. In thisembodiment, the rear of surface 110 showing digital media file 115 maybe seen through 3D digital collectible 100. In FIG. 1e , another surfaceof 3D digital collectible 100 with a team logo and copyright and systeminformation is shown.

In various embodiments, the 3D digital collectible may be staticallydisplayed in its virtual environment (e.g. on a computer displayscreen), or may be dynamically displayed, such that it is rotatable todisplay one or more of the surfaces and the associated content (e.g., adigital media file and/or data) assigned to that surface. Such dynamicdisplay may be by way of interactions with a user, in response to apredefined movement or movements (e.g., via a script or other computercode), or combinations thereof.

The digital media file may be any type of media, including still images,video, audio, and/or other media, or combinations of such media. Digitalmedia files may include a single view, audio track, or other recording,or composites of multiple views, audio tracks, or other recordings, suchas a composite video showing different perspectives of the event, suchas different camera views of a sports play or other event. The digitalmedia files may also include multiple views, audio tracks, or otherrecordings of the event from different perspectives, times, or durationsthat may be played sequentially and/or in other order. Such sequentialplay can be implemented by user interactions with a list of the multipleviews, audio tracks, or other recordings, by accessing the multipleviews, audio tracks, or other recordings in accordance with a script, orby stitching together the multiple views, audio tracks, or otherrecordings into a single digital media file. In this regard thecomposite or sequential digital media files may include different typesof files (e.g., they may include one or more of a video file, audiofile, or other recording). Portions of a single digital media file mayalso be identified, separated, and used as individual digital mediafiles in the manner described herein (e.g., a digital media file may besequentially divided with different portions considered as differentdigital media files). For example, a single digital media file may besequentially divided and provided on different surfaces of the 3Ddigital collectible.

The data relating to the event may include event data that describes theevent itself. Using a sporting match as an example, event data mayinclude such information as the player's name, the type of play (such asa dunk, block, or steal), the date and/or time of the event, and otherevent data. A second type of data may include actor data relating to theperson captured in the event. Again using a sporting match as anexample, actor data may include such information as the player'sstatistics, measurements, position, age, experience, hometown, college,draft selection, or other actor (or actors) data. A third type of datamay include context data that describes additional information about thecontext of the event. Again using a sporting match as an example,context data may include the teams that are playing, the location of thegame, the score of the game, the sports league, the sports season, andcontext data. The digital media file and any related data and/or othercontent may be collectively referred to as content.

Further exemplary embodiments of context data include informationrelated to an entertainment experience from which the event is drawn,situational information related to the entertainment experience, thesubject of the experience, and/or information related to the digitalmedia file. For example, context data related to a sporting match mayinclude the number of teams, the box score, game statistics, seasonalaverages for the player, media about the game, and other context data.In the sporting match example, the context data may relate to one ormore players or teams that are represented in a digital media file.

The various forms of data may be associated with a digital media file inany known manner, such as by tags, attributes, metadata, pointers and/orother associations. Data may be stored in a data structure in one ormore databases. The data structures may link an event with media files,data, content and metadata. The event and/or digital media file can besearched based on information associated with the event or the digitalmedia file.

Data may also include metadata. Metadata may include informationspecified in connection with the creation of the 3D digital collectiblethat specifies attributes of the digital collectible. The attributes mayinclude the configuration of the digital collectible (e.g. the number ofsides) the manner in which content should be displayed, such as whatcontent should be displayed, where the content should be displayed(e.g., on which surface of the n-shape), and how the content should bedisplayed, including in relation to other content. Other attributes ofthe digital collectible may be used.

Metadata may also include information associated with the uniqueness orclassification of the scarcity of the digital collectible. For example,a collectible may be a one of a kind instance of an event or there maybe a predetermined number of instances or other methods for determininga number of instances. In any case, the digital collectible may beidentified by a serial number or other unique value that uniquelyidentifies a particular 3D digital collectible, along with a uniqueidentifier for the instance (e.g., 1 of 1 or 1 of 10, etc.) asnecessary.

Scarcity may be represented by a classification based on the number ofinstances. For example, more than 1000 instances may be a firstclassification, 500-1000 may be another classification, 100-500 may beanother classification, and so on. Other numbers may be used tocategorize scarcity classifications. The uniqueness or scarcity (e.g.,the number of instances) can be set for an individual 3D digitalcollectible as part of the initial creation process in defining thecollectible. The metadata may include data that dictates how the 3Ddigital collectible is rendered for display based on the scarcity of the3D digital collectible. For example, data relating to the uniqueness orscarcity of the 3D digital collectible can be displayed on thecollectible, or other displayed features of the 3D digital collectiblemay relate to rarity or scarcity, such as the colors, shading, material,textures, lighting and/or visual display indicators that depict ascarcity classification.

The digital media file and data may also be created based on anotherdigital media file or data. For example, a digital media file includinga graphic and/or sound may be generated based on a digital media fileincluding a video. As such, 3D digital collectibles can include one ormore related digital media files and data.

System

A platform 400 for creating, generating, managing, storing, rendering,and displaying 3D digital collectibles according to an exemplaryembodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows system 410with various modules and engines for defining, generating, and renderinga 3D digital collectible, system storage 430 for storing data, digitalmedia files, 3D collectibles, and collection information, and display470 for displaying the 3D digital collectible to a user.

System 410 may include a computer server including a processor 412programmed with computer instructions including an administration module414, a display generator 416, a rendering engine 418, a gathering engine420, a collectible creation manager 422, a user account manager 424, auser control module 426, and a collection manager 428. Platform 400 mayalso include a display 470 with 3D display 472 and media player 474.Platform 400 may also include an associated computer memory or systemstorage 430 that stores a data structure comprising event data 432,actor data 434, context data 436, metadata 438, digital media files 440.3D collectibles 442, scarcity data 444, and collection data 446,associated data/content, and particular association(s) therebetween,including rules that define what is to be displayed on the surfaces ofthe 3D digital collectible. The components of the systems may beco-located or distributed.

Platform 400 may include tools to define and create a 3D digitalcollectible, and store and manage 35 digital collectibles, as describedin more detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/229,455, filedApr. 13, 2021, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Platform 400 may also include tools to display 3D digital collectibles,such as display generator 416 and rendering engine 418 for generatinggraphical user interfaces (GUIs) and rendering a 3D digital collectiblefor display therein to a user via 3D display 472 on display 470. Forexample, the 3D digital collectible (e.g. the digital media file anddata) may be configured to be displayed as a 3D display element. Thedigital collectible can be represented as, or otherwise include, the 3Ddisplay element. The 3D display element can be in a virtual 3D graphicalinterface. The 3D display element can have n-surfaces which are combinedtogether into an n-sided shape, (cube, sphere, pyramid, octagon, etc.).Each face or side of the of the n-sided shape can display at least oneof the aforementioned digital media and/or data types. Each face or sideof the n-sided shape can have associated digital media and/or contextdata of a specific type (for example, belonging to a specificclassification of media, such as images, video, text, sound forplayback, etc.).

The display generator 416 and rendering engine 618 may generate a GUI ondisplay 470, the representation of the 3D digital collectible, and amedia player for playing the digital media file(s) included with the 3Ddigital collectible based on scripted or user selected commands. The GUImay be configured to display the 3D digital collectible as the virtual,three dimensional n-sided structure discussed above. The display may bepre-rendered or rendered in real-time as it is being displayed. The 3Ddigital collectible may be rendered and displayed in any orientation,such as the perspective and plan views of FIGS. 1a-1e , may bestationary in one view, or may change orientation between views (e.g.,rotate, translate, etc.) either automatically based on elapsed time, inreaction to a user interaction (e.g., mouse click, scroll bar movement,or touch interface), or both.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the GUI may be an interactivedisplay. For example, in response to user input selections via thegraphical user interface different surfaces of the n-sided display maybe displayed. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2a-2f , GUI 250 may beconfigured to include a first display portion 200 with a set of iconsand second display portion 220 to show various views of a 3D digitalcollectible.

In an interactive display, one or more of the icons may beuser-selectable. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2a-2f , firstdisplay portion 200 includes six user-selectable icons 202, 204, 206,208, 210, and 212, but more or fewer icons may be provided as discussedbelow.

In one embodiment, the number of icons are set in relation to theconfiguration of the 3D digital collectible being viewed (e.g., n iconsare provided where the 3D digital collectible has n sides). In otherembodiments, there may be more or fewer icons than the number of sidesof the 3D Digital Collectible. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a-2f ,the 3D digital collectible is a cube shape, and six user-selectableicons 202, 204, 206, 208, 210 and 212 are provided in first displayportion 200.

In one embodiment, each user-selectable icon has a specific relationshipto a particular view of a 3D digital collectible as it is rendered bythe GUI in the second display portion 220, as discussed below. Forexample, a particular user-selectable icon may relate to a plan view ofa particular side of the 3D digital collectible, a perspective view ofmultiple sides of the 3D digital collectible at the same time, or anyother applicable view of the 3D digital collectible. In one embodiment,an icon may include a description or image that correlates to aparticular view of the 3D digital collectible. For example, the icon mayinclude a thumbnail representation of the particular view (e.g., athumbnail of a plan view of a surface of the 3D digital collectible orof a perspective view of multiple sides of the 3D digital collectible).In another embodiment, the icon may include a thumbnail representationof a picture the user has selected to display on the 3D digitalcollectible, such as to represent a digital media file. In anotherembodiment, the icons may provide a text description of the particularview to which it is related, or any other applicable symbol. In anotherembodiment, an icon may relate to a particular animation of the 3Ddigital collectible, such as a rotation or translation, or the launchingof a media player as discussed below. In this instance, the icon mayalso include animation in a thumbnail configuration, or a relateddescription or symbol indicating an animation or otherwiserepresentative of the animation.

Any number of icons representing plan views, perspective views,animations, or mixtures thereof may be provided in various embodiments.In other words, the icons may all represent plan views, may allrepresent perspective views, may all represent animations, or mayinclude mixtures of one or more of plan views, perspective views, andanimations.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a-2f , the six user-selectable icons202, 204, 206, 208, 210, and 212 each provide a thumbnail representationof a particular view of the related 3D digital collectible. Icons 202,208, and 210 provide thumbnails of perspective views of the 3D digitalcollectible, whereas icons 204, 206, and 212 provide thumbnails of viewsof a particular surface of the 3D digital collectible.

As shown in FIGS. 2a-2f , not every side or view of the 3D digitalcollectible need be represented by an icon. In various embodiments, asingle icon can show multiple sides, such as in perspective view or anyother applicable manner. In other embodiments, two or more icons may beprovided for a single side of the 3D digital collectible, such as tosignify different portions of one side.

In other embodiments, icons may be provided that perform other actionsrelated to the 3D digital collectible. For example, icons may change theappearance of the 3D digital collectible (e.g., changing the color,shading, or other format), launch viewers (such as described below), orother separate functions or objects, cause particular manipulations oranimations of the 3D digital collectible to be implemented, change thepresent view of the 3D digital collectible in the second display portion220 without selecting another icon (e.g., zooming, panning, rotating,etc.), or any other applicable action.

As discussed above, the second display portion 220 of GUI 250 isarranged in juxtaposition to the first display portion 200. Seconddisplay portion 220 is configured to display various views of the 3Ddigital collectible. As discussed above, the views may correspond toviews associated with icons in first display portion 200, and mayinclude additional views and functions.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2a , second display portion 220 may show aperspective view of 3D digital collectible with a digital media file onone side and data on the other. This view may be activated in seconddisplay portion 220 by a user selecting icon 208. In some embodiments,the last icon selected by the user in first display portion 200 includesan indication that it has been selected. For example, in FIG. 2a , thereis a horizontal indicator 255 arranged below icon 208 indicating thaticon 208 was the last icon with which the user interacted. Anyappropriate indication method may be utilized, such as color changes,opacity changes, icons (e.g., a checkmark).

In FIG. 2b , second display portion 220 may show a plan view of surfaceof 3D digital collectible with a logo and score related to the event towhich the 3D collectible is related. This view may be activated insecond display portion 220 by a user selecting icon 204. In FIG. 2c ,second display portion 220 may show a plan view of another surface of 3Ddigital collectible with a team logo and a date and description of theevent to which the 3D digital collectible is related. This view may beactivated in second display portion 220 by a user selecting icon 206. InFIG. 2d , second display portion 220 may show another perspective viewof 3D digital collectible with a player number on one surface andanother surface rendered transparently. This view may be activated insecond display portion 220 by a user selecting icon 210. In FIG. 2e ,second display portion 220 may show a plan view of another surface of 3Ddigital collectible with a team logo and copyright and systeminformation. This view may be activated in second display portion 220 bya user selecting icon 212.

In these embodiments, selecting individual icons may simply display therelated particular view of the 3D digital collectible in second displayportion 220. Alternatively, selection of an icon may result in the 3Ddigital collectible digitally moving to the corresponding side (e.g., byrotation, translation, etc.). Any other appropriate transition betweenone view of the 3D digital collectible and another in second displayportion 220 may also be utilized, such as fading or other cinematiceffects.

Additionally, in these embodiments, when a surface is shown in seconddisplay portion 220 that includes a digital media file, the digitalmedia may be displayed on that surface. For example, in FIG. 2a , adigital media file is visible. If the digital media file is a videoand/or audio track, display of the surface containing that digital mediafile in display portion 220 also allows the video or audio to play. Forexample, in FIG. 2a , if the displayed digital media file is a video, itmay play in the orientation shown. In various embodiments, the video oraudio may play automatically when the particular view including thatfile is selected, or a control (such as a play button) may be providedfor user selection. Such a control may be placed on the surface wherethe digital media file is shown, or may be arranged adjacent the surfaceor anywhere else in the GUI 200.

In other embodiments, second display portion 220 may also play digitalmedia files and/or data from surfaces of the 3D digital collectible in aseparate media player, such as in an window or pop-up adjacent to the 3Ddigital collectible. The media player may also partially or fullyoverlay the 3D digital collectible, hover over a surface of the 3Ddigital collectible, or simply replace the 3D digital collectible insecond display portion 220. A media player 260 according to oneembodiment is shown in FIG. 2f , which is activated in second displayportion 220 by a user selecting icon 202. The media player mayautomatically launch and begin playing after the user selects a relatedicon, or may play after user interaction in the manner discussed above.The media player may be of any shape and orientation to play the mediafile, including the portrait orientation shown in FIG. 2f .Additionally, the view of the media player can be changed by furtheruser interaction. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2f ,selector 265 is provided that, when clicked, causes the media player tobe maximized on the user screen for easier viewing. Selectors may alsobe provided to perform other display changes, or to launch a separateviewer or application.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrates other exemplary embodiments of the mediaplayer. FIG. 3A provides the media player over the surface of the 3Ddigital collectible, while FIG. 3B shows the media player partiallyoverlaying the 3D digital collectible. In either of these embodiments,the 3D digital collectible and media player may be provided in seconddisplay portion 220, or in a separate window or popup. In any of theembodiments discussed above, the media player may be partiallytransparent such that portions of the 3D digital collectible under themedia player are still visible.

In the embodiments discussed above related to playing digital mediafiles included with the 3D digital collectible, the icon related to theview including the digital media file may include an indication that therelated view includes a digital media file that may be played. Forexample, icon 202 in FIG. 2a includes a triangular symbol similar to a“play” button in GUIs. This symbol indicates to a user that theparticular view of 3D digital collectible related to that icon includesa digital media file that may be played, such as is shown in FIG. 2 f.

In any of the video playing embodiments discussed above, if a digitalmedia file includes a video or audio clip, the video or audio can beconfigured to play in any of the above manners. Various playbackfeatures may also be implemented in any of the above embodiments toallow the user more control of the playback, such as play, pause,rewind, and replay buttons.

Video or audio may also be configured to play automatically after arelated icon in first display portion 200 is selected by a user (e.g.,according to timing or positioning of the 3D digital collectible), orupon a request. If the 3D digital collectible includes multiple digitalmedia files, the multiple files may also be configured to playsequentially, either automatically or pursuant to user selection.

Managing a Collection of 3D Digital Collectibles

According to other aspects of various embodiments, a user may manage thedisplay of multiple digital collectables within their account throughcollection manager 428. For example, in some embodiments, the digitalcollectables may be stored online (e.g., under control of the system), auser may create one or more collections of digital collectables andshare a link or other identifier associated with the collection andother users may use the link or other identifier to view thecollection(s). Data related to the collection may be stored ascollection data 446.

In various embodiments, individual 3D digital collectibles may begathered into collections. Collections may be organized by the owner ofthe collectibles, the management system, or both. For example, an ownerof a plurality of 3D digital collectibles (as maintained byadministration module 414) may select two or more of the collectibles tobe part of a collection via collection manager 428 (e.g., by using aGUI). The 3D digital collectibles may be grouped by user preference orany other related data (e.g., location, time, player, etc.), manually orautomatically, as discussed below.

To facilitate the management of collections, the system may provide aset of graphical user interfaces on display 470 via display generator416, rendering engine 418, and collection manager 428. A first graphicaluser interface may include collection creation display that enables auser to select a set of the user's collectables to include in thecollection, name the collection and upon completion click an icon toshare the collection. The first graphical user interface may include afirst display portion, that when selected by a user causes a secondgraphical user interface or second display portion (collectively “seconddisplay element”) that includes a template to facilitate the ability fora user to select the desired digital collectables and arrange them in adesired order. The second display element may include a graphicaldepiction or layout of a predetermined number of slots for receivingdigital collectables so that a user can drag and drop or otherwiseselect collectables and specify an order. Once the user selects thedesired digital collectables and arranges them in a desired order, theuser may select save or otherwise indicate that they are finished makingselections. The user may then be returned to the first graphical userinterface and click an icon to share the collection via one or morepredetermined channels and/or otherwise share a link or other identifierto enable others to view the collection(s). The user may create,separately name and share multiple collections with differentcollectables and/or combinations thereof.

System 410 may include a collection manager 428 that comprises computercode for generating the displays described herein, cause the user'sselection of collectables and the specified order to be stored in memoryin association with a collection name and/or store other informationrelation to a collection, such as in collection data 446. Thecollections manager 428 may also include computer code that s configuredto display a collection to a second user when the second user selectsthe link or other identifier associated with a first user's collection.

According to one embodiment, collections of 3D digital collectibles maybe displayed for other users to view, such as is shown in FIG. 5a . Inthe FIG. 5a embodiment, a GUI 500 displays showcase 510 that includescollection representations 522, 524, and 526 of individual collectionsof 3D digital collectibles in a grid. In other embodiments, thecollection representations may be displayed as a text list, tabs, or anyother applicable format allowing a user to view and select a particularcollection. Collections may be named for identification purposes anddisplayed in the collection representations as shown in the embodimentof FIG. 5a . Collections may also be identified by the creator of thecollection, or the owner of the 3D digital collectibles in thecollection, and displayed in the collection representations as shown inthe embodiment of FIG. 5a . Other appropriate collection identifiers maybe displayed in the collection representations to indicate the contentsof the collection, including data drawn from the member 3D digitalcollectibles. For example, if all of the member 3D digital collectiblesrelate to a single player or team, that may be displayed in thecollection representations.

In one embodiment, a user may select one of the collections to view itscontents. For example, a user may select collection representation 522,which will result in the GUI displaying collection 532 in collectiondisplay interface 540 as shown in FIG. 5b . Collection 532 includesseven (or other number of) individual 3D digital collectibles, as shownin FIG. 5b . GUI 500 may display the individual 3D digital collectiblesof collection 532 in any manner. In the FIG. 5b embodiment, eachindividual 3D digital collectible is shown in a grid in a perspectiveview with a digital media file on one surface and data on the second,but the 3D digital collectibles may be shown in any orientation,including any of the orientations discussed above. Individual 3D digitalcollectibles may be arranged in a common orientation in collections, ordifferent orientations. The individual 3D digital collectibles may alsobe arranged in a list or other arrangement that allows a user to viewthe contents of collection 532.

In an embodiment, collection display interface 540 may also include linkcreation button 554 for a user to create a link to collection 532 toallow other users to view collection 532, and rating button 552, whichallows a user to rate or rank collection 532. Other buttons, links, orinterfaces may be provided.

According to an embodiment, a user may also select one of the 3D digitalcollectibles in collection 532 shown in collection display interface 540as shown in FIG. 5b . The GUI will then display the 3D digitalcollectible and allow user interaction in the manner shown in FIGS.2a-2f , as discussed above.

According to another embodiment, a user may request that the digitalmedia files included in the 3D digital collectibles of collection 532 beplayed in a media player or separate window or pop-up. For example, auser may select the watch button 550 in the FIG. 5b embodiment, whichmay launch a media player 555 in GUI 500 and collection displayinterface 540 as shown in FIG. 5c . Media player 555 is similar to mediaplayer 260, and may be implemented in the manner discussed aboveregarding media player 260.

In an embodiment, media player 555 plays each of the digital media filesin the 3D digital collectibles of collection 532 in a continuous serialloop, either by sequentially playing the individual digital media filesor by stitching together the individual digital media files into onefile. In other embodiments, GUI may provide the user options to playparticular digital media files, such as by showing individual links oricons, and may allow the user to control the playback in the mannerdiscussed above regarding media player 260.

In another embodiment, after a user selects watch button 550 in FIG. 5b, the collection display interface 540 may sequentially display 3Ddigital collectibles and their respective digital media files. Forexample, collection display interface 540 may display a first 3D digitalcollectible of collection 532, automatically play a digital media filefrom the first 3D digital collectible, then display a second 3D digitalcollectible of collection 532 and automatically play a digital mediafile from the second 3D digital collectible, and so on until each 3Ddigital collectible and digital media file has been displayed incollection display interface 540.

In another embodiment, a collection may itself include multiplecollections of 3D digital collectibles. In such an embodiment,collections may be displayed in an intervening screen of GUI 500 betweenFIGS. 5a and 5b in a similar format. For example, the individual 3Ddigital collectibles in FIG. 5b may themselves be sub-collections of 3Ddigital collectibles, which a user may select to access individual 3Ddigital collectibles in the manner discussed above in a further GUIscreen similar to FIG. 5b . Alternatively, sub-collections may bedenoted in collection display interface 540 of GUI 500 in FIG. 5b byother visual cues, such as shading, highlights, boxes surrounding theindividual 3D digital collectibles of a sub-collection.

Collections may also be created, modified, and deleted according tovarious embodiments. For example, an owner of 3D digital collectiblesmay manage multiple collections of his 3D digital collectibles in hisuser account, and may create, modify, or delete collections, includingspecifying which of his 3D digital collectibles are part of a particularcollection. Collections may also be created, modified, and deleted byother users or by a manager of system 400.

An exemplary collection creation and management system is illustrated bythe GUI 600 shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b . In one embodiment, FIG. 6a showsGUI 600 with collection creation interface 640, which allows a user tocreate a collection. Collection creation interface 640 may provide nameentry area 652, where a user to enter a name of the collection, sharinginterface area 654, which a user may select to share the collection withfriends via, for example, an email link or social media, and 3D digitalcollectible selection area 650, where a user may select which 3D digitalcollectibles to include in the collection. Selecting any of the areas650, 652, or 654 may cause a popup or other window to appear to allowappropriate selection of information or information entry. For example,selecting name entry area 652 may open a text entry box. Alternativelyselecting name entry area may simply active a cursor in name entry areafor typing. Alternatively, the system may provide suggested names basedon selected 3D digital collectibles in the collection, the user'sinformation, past history, or the like. In another example, selectingsharing interface area 654 may open a popup providing sharing options,an e-mail interface, access to a user's social media, or the like.

Regarding 3D digital collectible selection area 650, in an exemplaryembodiment, user selection of this area may bring up a list of 3Ddigital collectibles that may be added to the collection. Thumbnails orother representations of the individual 3D digital collectibles may alsobe provided to the user to facilitate identification and selection of 3Ddigital collectibles to add to the collection.

In another embodiment, a collection management interface 660 may beaccessed by user selection of the 3D digital collectible selection area650. An example of such a collection management interface 660 in GUI 600is shown in FIG. 6b . In an embodiment, collection management interface660 may include template 665, which sets for the framework for acollection. In such an example, a user may arrange individual 3D digitalcollectibles in template 665, which represents how the 3D digitalcollectibles will be shown to other users (e.g., such as is shown inFIG. 5b ) and sets an order in which related digital media files in therespective 3 d digital collectibles are played, as discussed aboveregarding FIG. 5c . Once a user has placed the 3D digital collectiblesin template 665 as desired, the user may select the save button 670 (orthe cancel button 672 if the changes are not desired to be saved). Theuser may then return to collection creation interface 640, as shown inFIG. 6a , and finalize creation of the collection, name the collection,or share the collection as described above.

A user may modify or delete existing collections using either or both ofthe interfaces of FIGS. 6a and 6b . A user may also maintain multipleseparate collections of his 3D digital collectibles. Differentcollections may include the same or separate 3D digital collectibles.

In the above embodiments, collections, such as collections 432, may bemanaged by collection manager 428 by reference to collection data 446.Collection manager 432 may define the 3D digital collectibles that arepart of collection 432, uniquely identify collection 432, relatecollection 432 to a particular user, maintain the underlyingrelationships and data structures, and access related data stored incollection data 446. Collections 432 may also be displayed to a user asa GUI 500 in a manner similar to GUI 250 discussed above. For example,GUI 500 may provide collection display interface 540, individual 3Ddigital collectibles, and media player 555 in display 470 on 3D display472 and media player 474 using rendering engine 418 and displaygenerator 416 in the manner discussed above regarding GUI 250. GUI 600may also provide collection creation interface 640 and collectionmanagement interface 660 in display 470 in a similar manner. Collectionsmanager also receives and implements the user selections discussed aboveto create and manage individual collections, and to build a datastructure to maintain the collections.

In some embodiments, when a second user selects the link or otheridentifier associated with a first user's collection, the collectionsmanagement module generates a collectables display interface. Thecollections management module may display the collection, including eachof the digital collectables included in the collection. According to oneoption, the second user may select individual ones of the digitalcollectables for display. According to another option, the collectionsmanagement module may instruct a media player to automatically play, inthe collectables display interface, the media files of the digitalcollectables included in the collection. The collections managementmodule may be configured via software to cause the digital media filesof the digital collectables included in the collection to beautomatically displayed sequentially or may stitch the files together tocreate a single media file including each of the digital media files ofthe digital collectables included in the collection.

According to other aspects of some embodiments, the collectionsmanagement module may cause the collectables display interface tosequentially display each of the digital collectibles and then the mediafiles of the digital collectables included in the collection.

Processing Devices and Processors

In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methodsdescribed herein, including system 400, include a processing devices,processors, or use of the same. In further embodiments, the processingdevice includes one or more hardware central processing units (CPUs) orgeneral purpose graphics processing units (GPUs) that carry out thedevice's functions. In still further embodiments, the processing devicefurther comprises an operating system configured to perform executableinstructions. In some embodiments, the processing device is optionallyconnected a computer network. In further embodiments, the processingdevice is optionally connected to the Internet such that it accesses theWorld Wide Web. In still further embodiments, the processing device isoptionally connected to a cloud computing infrastructure. In otherembodiments, the processing device is optionally connected to anintranet. In other embodiments, the processing device is optionallyconnected to a data storage device. In accordance with the descriptionherein, suitable processing devices include, by way of non-limitingexamples, cloud computing resources, server computers, server clusters,desktop computers, laptop computers, notebook computers, sub-notebookcomputers, netbook computers, netpad computers, handheld computers,mobile smartphones, and tablet computers. In some embodiments, theprocessing device includes an operating system configured to performexecutable instructions. The operating system is, for example, software,including programs and data, which manages the device's hardware andprovides services for execution of applications. Those of skill in theart will recognize that suitable server operating systems include, byway of nonlimiting examples, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD®, Linux, Apple®Mac OS X Server®, Oracle® Solaris®, Windows Server®, and Novell®NetWare®. Those of skill in the art will recognize that suitablepersonal computer operating systems include, by way of non-limitingexamples, Microsoft® Windows®, Apple® Mac OS X®, UNIX®, and UNIX-likeoperating systems such as GNU/Linux®. In some embodiments, the operatingsystem is provided by cloud computing. Those of skill in the art willalso recognize that suitable mobile smartphone operating systemsinclude, by way of non-limiting examples, Nokia® Symbian® OS, Apple®iOS®, Research In Motion® BlackBerry OS®, Google® Android®, MicrosoftWindows Phone® OS, Microsoft Windows Mobile® OS, Linux®, and Palm®WebOS®. In some embodiments, the processing device includes a storageand/or memory device. The storage and/or memory device is one or morephysical apparatuses used to store data or programs on a temporary orpermanent basis. In some embodiments, the device is volatile memory andrequires power to maintain stored information. In some embodiments, thedevice is non-volatile memory and retains stored information when theprocessing device is not powered. In further embodiments, thenon-volatile memory comprises flash memory. In some embodiments, thenonvolatile memory comprises dynamic random-access memory (DRAM). Insome embodiments, the non-volatile memory comprises ferroelectric randomaccess memory (FRAM). In some embodiments, the non-volatile memorycomprises phase-change random access memory (PRAM). In otherembodiments, the device is a storage device including, by way ofnon-limiting examples, CD-ROMs, DVDs, flash memory devices, magneticdisk drives, magnetic tapes drives, optical disk drives, and cloudcomputing based storage. In further embodiments, the storage and/ormemory device is a combination of devices such as those disclosedherein. In some embodiments, the processing device includes a display tosend visual information to a user. In some embodiments, the display is acathode ray tube (CRT). In some embodiments, the display is a liquidcrystal display (LCD). In further embodiments, the display is a thinfilm transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD). In some embodiments,the display is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. Invarious further embodiments, on OLED display is a passive-matrix OLED(PMOLED) or active matrix OLED (AMOLED) display. In some embodiments,the processing device includes an input device to receive informationfrom a user. In some embodiments, the input device is a keyboard. Insome embodiments, the input device is a pointing device including, byway of non-limiting examples, a mouse, trackball, track pad, joystick,game controller, or stylus. In some embodiments, the input device is atouch screen or a multi-touch screen. In other embodiments, the inputdevice is a microphone to capture voice or other sound input. In otherembodiments, the input device is a video camera or other sensor tocapture motion or visual input. In still further embodiments, the inputdevice is a combination of devices such as those disclosed herein.

Referring to FIG. 4, in an exemplary platform 400, an exemplary system410 is programmed or otherwise configured to, for example, dynamicallyload data provider connector modules and/or request, procure, process,analyze, persist and/or provide one or more data records. In thisembodiment, the system 410 includes a processor 412 (also known as acentral processing unit (CPU), and “computer processor”), which can be asingle core or multi core processor, or a plurality of processors forparallel processing. System 410 also includes memory or memory location(e.g., random-access memory, read-only memory, flash memory), systemstorage 430 (e.g., hard disk), a communication interface (e.g., networkadapter) for communicating with one or more other systems, andperipheral devices, such as cache, other memory, data storage and/orelectronic display adapters. The memory, system storage 430, networkinterface and peripheral devices are in communication with the CPU 412through a communication bus, such as a motherboard. The system storage430 can be a data storage unit (or data repository) for storing data.System 410 can be operatively coupled to a computer network (“network”)with the aid of the communication interface. The network can be theInternet, an internet and/or extranet, or an intranet and/or extranetthat is in communication with the Internet. The network in some cases isa telecommunication and/or data network. The network can include one ormore computer servers, server clusters and/or distributed computingresources, providing, for example cloud computing. The network, in somecases with the aid of the system 410, can implement a peer-to-peernetwork, which may enable devices coupled to the device 501 to behave asa client or a server.

In some embodiments, the CPU 412 can execute a sequence ofmachine-readable instructions, which can be embodied in a program orsoftware. The instructions may be stored in a memory location, such asthe memory. The instructions can be directed to the CPU 412, which cansubsequently program or otherwise configure the CPU 412 to implementmethods of the present disclosure. The CPU 412 can be part of a circuit,such as an integrated circuit. One or more other components of thesystem 410 can be included in the circuit. In some cases, the circuit isan application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA).

In some embodiments, the system storage 430 can store files such asdrivers, libraries and saved programs. The system storage 430 can storeuser data, e.g., user preferences and user programs. The system 410 insome cases can include one or more additional data storage units thatare external, such as located on a remote server, remote server cluster,network attached storage, or the like, that is in communication throughan intranet or the Internet. In some embodiments, methods as describedherein can be implemented by way of machine (e.g., computer processor)executable code stored on an electronic storage location of the system410, such as, for example, on the memory or system storage 430. Themachine executable or machine readable code can be provided in the formof software. During use, the code can be executed by CPU 412. In somecases, the code can be retrieved from the system storage 430515 andstored on the memory for ready access by the CPU 412. In somesituations, the system storage 430 can be precluded, andmachine-executable instructions are stored on memory. In someembodiments, the code is pre-compiled. In some embodiments, the code iscompiled during runtime. The code can be supplied in a programminglanguage that can be selected to enable the code to execute in aprecompiled or as-compiled fashion.

In some embodiments, the system 410 can include or be in communicationwith an electronic display 470. In some embodiments, the electronicdisplay 470 provides a user interface or GUI.

Non-Transitory Computer Readable Storage Medium

In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methodsdisclosed herein include one or more non-transitory computer readablestorage media encoded with a program including instructions executableby the operating system of an optionally networked processing device. Infurther embodiments, a computer readable storage medium is a tangiblecomponent of a processing device. In still further embodiments, acomputer readable storage medium is optionally removable from aprocessing device. In some embodiments, a computer readable storagemedium includes, by way of non-limiting examples, CD-ROMs, DVDs, flashmemory devices, solid state memory, magnetic disk drives, magnetic tapedrives, optical disk drives, distributed computing systems includingcloud computing systems and services, and the like. In some cases, theprogram and instructions are permanently, substantially permanently,semi-permanently, or non-transitorily encoded on the media.

Computer Program

In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methodsdisclosed herein include at least one computer program, or use of thesame. A computer program includes a sequence of instructions, executablein the processing device's CPU, written to perform one or more specifiedtasks. Computer readable instructions may be implemented as programmodules, such as functions, objects, Application Programming Interfaces(APIs), data structures, and the like, that perform particular tasks orimplement particular abstract data types. In light of the disclosureprovided herein, those of skill in the art will recognize that acomputer program may be written in various versions of variouslanguages. The functionality of the computer readable instructions maybe combined or distributed as desired in various environments. In someembodiments, a computer program comprises one sequence of instructions.In some embodiments, a computer program comprises a plurality ofsequences of instructions. In some embodiments, a computer program isprovided from one location. In other embodiments, a computer program isprovided from a plurality of locations. In various embodiments, acomputer program includes one or more software modules. In variousembodiments, a computer program includes, in part or in whole, one ormore web applications, one or more mobile applications, one or morestandalone applications, one or more web browser plug-ins, extensions,add-ins, or add-ons, or combinations thereof

Web Application

In some embodiments, a computer program includes a web application. Inlight of the disclosure provided herein, those of skill in the art willrecognize that a web application, in various embodiments, utilizes oneor more software frameworks and one or more database systems. In someembodiments, a web application is created upon a software framework suchas Microsoft®.NET or Ruby on Rails (RoR). In some embodiments, a webapplication utilizes one or more database systems including, by way ofnon-limiting examples, relational, non-relational, object oriented,associative, and XML database systems. In further embodiments, suitablerelational database systems include, by way of non-limiting examples,Microsoft® SQL Server, mySQL™, and Oracle®. Those of skill in the artwill also recognize that a web application, in various embodiments, iswritten in one or more versions of one or more languages. A webapplication may be written in one or more markup languages, presentationdefinition languages, client side scripting languages, server-sidecoding languages, database query languages, or combinations thereof. Insome embodiments, a web application is written to some extent in amarkup language such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), ExtensibleHypertext Markup Language (XHTML), or eXtensible Markup Language OiML).In some embodiments, a web application is written to some extent in apresentation definition language such as Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).In some embodiments, a web application is written to some extent in aclient-side scripting language such as Asynchronous JavaScript and XML(AJAX), Flash® ActionScript, Javascript, or Silverlight®. In someembodiments, a web application is written to some extent in aserver-side coding language such as Active Server Pages (ASP),ColdFusion®, Perl, Java™, JavaServer Pages (JSP), Hypertext Preprocessor(PHP), Python™, Ruby, Tcl, Smalltalk, WebDNA®, or Groovy. In someembodiments, a web application is written to some extent in a databasequery language such as Structured Query Language (SQL). In someembodiments, a web application integrates enterprise server productssuch as IBM® Lotus Domino®. In some embodiments, a web applicationincludes a media player element. In various further embodiments, a mediaplayer element utilizes one or more of many suitable multimediatechnologies including, by way of nonlimiting examples, Adobe® Flash®,HTML 5, Apple® QuickTime®, Microsoft® Silverlight®, Java™, and Unity®.

Mobile Application

In some embodiments, a computer program includes a mobile applicationprovided to a mobile processing device. In some embodiments, the mobileapplication is provided to a mobile processing device at the time it ismanufactured. In other embodiments, the mobile application is providedto a mobile processing device via the computer network described herein.

In view of the disclosure provided herein, a mobile application iscreated by techniques known to those of skill in the art using hardware,languages, and development environments known to the art. Those of skillin the art will recognize that mobile applications are written inseveral languages. Suitable programming languages include, by way ofnon-limiting examples, C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Java™, Javascript,Pascal, Object Pascal, Python™, Ruby, VB .NET, WML, and XHTML/HTML withor without CSS, or combinations thereof.

Suitable mobile application development environments are available fromseveral sources. Commercially available development environmentsinclude, by way of non-limiting examples, AirplaySDK, alcheMo,Appcelerator®, Celsius, Bedrock, Flash Lite, .NET Compact Framework,Rhomobile, and WorkLight Mobile Platform. Other development environmentsare available without cost including, by way of non-limiting examples,Lazarus, Mobi-Flex, MoSync, and Phonegap. Also, mobile devicemanufacturers distribute software developer kits including, by way ofnon-limiting examples, iPhone and iPad (iOS) SDK, Android™ SDK,BlackBerry® SDK, BREW SDK, Palm® OS SDK, Symbian SDK, webOS SDK, andWindows® Mobile SDK.

Those of skill in the art will recognize that several commercial forumsare available for distribution of mobile applications including, by wayof non-limiting examples, Apple® App Store, Google® Play, Chrome WebStore, BlackBerry® App World, App Store for Palm devices, App Catalogfor webOS, Windows® Marketplace for Mobile, Ovi Store for Nokia®devices, Samsung® Apps, and Nintendo® DSi Shop.

Software Modules

In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methodsdisclosed herein include software, server, and/or database modules, oruse of the same. In view of the disclosure provided herein, softwaremodules are created by techniques known to those of skill in the artusing machines, software, and languages known to the art. The softwaremodules disclosed herein are implemented in a multitude of ways. Invarious embodiments, a software module comprises a file, a section ofcode, a programming object, a programming structure, or combinationsthereof. In further various embodiments, a software module comprises aplurality of files, a plurality of sections of code, a plurality ofprogramming objects, a plurality of programming structures, orcombinations thereof. In various embodiments, the one or more softwaremodules comprise, by way of nonlimiting examples, a web application, amobile application, and a standalone application. In some embodiments,software modules are in one computer program or application. In otherembodiments, software modules are in more than one computer program orapplication. In some embodiments, software modules are hosted on onemachine. In other embodiments, software modules are hosted on more thanone machine. In further embodiments, software modules are hosted oncloud computing platforms. In some embodiments, software modules arehosted on one or more machines in one location. In other embodiments,software modules are hosted on one or more machines in more than onelocation.

Databases

In some embodiments, the platforms, systems, media, and methodsdisclosed herein include one or more databases, or use of the same. Inview of the disclosure provided herein, those of skill in the art willrecognize that many databases are suitable for storage and retrieval ofdata, such as digital media collectibles described herein. In variousembodiments, suitable databases include, by way of non-limitingexamples, relational databases, nonrelational databases, object orienteddatabases, object databases, entity-relationship model databases,associative databases, and XML databases. In some embodiments, adatabase is web-based. In still further embodiments, a database is cloudcomputing-based. In other embodiments, a database is based on one ormore local computer storage devices.

Various methods have been described herein to generate, maintain, anddisplay 3D digital collectibles, including methods using exemplarysteps. It may be understood that more or less steps may be included, andthat the illustrated steps are merely non-limiting examples. Nor is theorder in which the steps are presented/described indicative of any setor requisite order that must be followed. It should be appreciated thatvarious prompts, cues, buttons, and/or other graphical/visualinteractive elements may be presented to the user together with one ormore of these steps. Steps depicted herein may correspond toinstructions stored in computer readable storage medium which can beexecuted by one or more processors of computing components describedherein, for example as part of computing components disclosed herein

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the invention is not limitedto these embodiments. It will be understood by those of ordinary skillin the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computer system for displaying a 3D virtual display element comprising n-surfaces, where n is a number greater than 1, representing a digital collectable comprising content including a digital media file and data relating to the digital media file, comprising: at least one processor; a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereupon which are executable by the at least one processor and which, when executed, cause the computing system to: generate, according to a stored set of rules, a graphical user interface display comprising a first display portion and a second display portion, the first display portion configured to display content associated with a selected surface of the 3D virtual display element, the second display portion displaying a set of n icons, each representing a depiction of one of the surfaces; in response to a selection of a first one of the icons associated with a first surface, cause the first display portion to display content associated with the first surface; and an administrative module configured for specifying rules and metadata relating to an event, the instructions being further configured to: create a data structure in the memory comprising an event input via the administrative module, the data structure comprising an event identifier, content related to the event, rules specifying the display characteristics of the 3D display element, including the number n of sides for the 3D display element, a designation of the content to be rendered on various ones of the n sides of the 3D display element, a specified number of instances of the digital collectible to be created, rules for classifying a scarcity level of the digital collectible based on the number of instances of the digital collectable and rules for generating a visual indicator for display in association with the 3D display element to visually distinguish a digital collectible of a first scarcity level from a digital collectible of a second scarcity level.
 2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the first display portion to display content associated with a second surface in response to selection of a second one of the icons associated with a second surface.
 3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the digital media file comprises a video file and the system further comprises a media player and the instructions further cause the computing system to: activate the media player to play the video file in association with the first surface when the first surface of the 3D virtual display element is forward facing.
 4. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the digital media file comprises a video file comprising at least two video clips and the system further comprises a media player and the instructions further cause the computing system to activate the media player to sequentially play the video clips when the first surface of the 3D virtual display element is forward facing.
 5. The computer system of claim 1, the instructions further cause the computing system to: generate a data structure comprising a video file of a play from a sporting event, associated data describing the play and context data relating to the play; generate a set of rules specifying at least a first surface designated for the video file, at least a second surface designated for a first type of data relating to the play and at least a third surface designated for context data relating to the play; and generate the 3D virtual display element on a graphical user interface and display the video file when the first surface is forward facing, display the first type of data relating to the play when the second surface is forward facing and display context data relating to the play when the third surface is forward facing.
 6. The computer system of claim 1, further comprising a media player, the instructions further cause the computing system to: generate a data structure comprising a video file of a play from a sporting event, the video file comprising at least two video clips of the play from different perspectives; activate the media player to sequentially play the video clips when the first surface of the 3D virtual display element is forward facing.
 7. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the digital media file comprises a video file and the system further comprises a media player and the instructions further cause the computing system to activate the media player to play the video file at a location outside a face of the first surface when the first surface of the 3D virtual display element is forward facing.
 8. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the generated 3D digital collectible includes, based on a set of stored metadata, at least one digital media file or set of digital media files representing an event rendered on a representation of at least a first of the n surfaces, data relating to the event rendered on at least a second surface thereof and other content on one or more other surfaces.
 9. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the 3D digital collectible comprises a dynamic 3D display element, the instructions comprising a script configured to dynamically modify a rendered view of the 3D display element, including to rotate the 3D display element to display one or more of the surfaces and display the content assigned to that surface via the metadata when the surface is at least partially forward facing.
 10. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the 3D digital collectible comprises a dynamic 3D display element and a media player, the instructions comprising a script configured to: dynamically modify a rendered view of the 3D display element, including to rotate the 3D display element to display one or more of the surfaces; display the content assigned to that surface via the metadata when the surface is at least partially forward facing; and activate the media player to play a media file when the media file is assigned to a surface that is at least partially forward facing. 